Health

Want to help your child thrive?

FOCUS ON 5 ASPECTS OF HEALTH

Written by Tiffany Nelson, RDH | Healthy Start Coordinator of Post Falls Family Dental

FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT IS SLEEP. Kids do better when they get plenty of quality rest. Sleep intersects every aspect of our lives. Deep sleep is very important and crucial for processing and storing memories, helps the body rest and repair, and strengthens the immune system to fight injuries and illness. We need deep sleep to repair the damage that’s been done to our bodies during the day. Parents need to make sure their children are getting enough of the proper rest they need. Observe your child’s sleep. Do they snore? Do they sleep with their mouth open? What does the neck position and posture look like? Are they restless? Wake up in the night? Is the bed messed up in the mornings? If you answered yes to any of these questions you should have your child evaluated for sleep disordered breathing. They may be sleeping but not getting the proper amount of oxygen and quality sleep they need.

SLEEP HYGIENE IS YET ANOTHER ASPECT. Make sure kids are getting enough sleep. If they are not getting enough, start by going to bed at least 15 minutes earlier each night until the proper amount is acquired.

Depending on child’s age they require between 8-10 hours nightly. Make sure they go to bed and get up everyday at the same time. Patterns of sleep can be very important to maintain health and quality sleep. Do not let them consume caffeinated or sugary drinks before bed and try not to drink much liquid after dinner. Beds should be used for sleep only. Nothing else. Put away technology at least 1 hour before bed. Keep the bedroom cool and dark. Secondly sleep deprivation in children often leads to poor nutrition choices. Adults can self-medicate with caffeine when not enough sleep is acquired. Sleep deprived children will tend to make poor nutrition choices and reach for foods which provide short bursts of energy like carbs or sugary/energy drinks. These poor nutrition choices then can lead to obesity or further health issues like diabetes. These children are often the ones displaying behavior issues, talk a lot in class to try to avoid tiredness, have trouble paying attention, fidgets, or may belabeled with ADHD or ADD.

OUR NEXT ASPECT TO FOCUS ON IS EXERCISE. Use exercise as brain fuel. Use muscles to turn on your brain and get blood flow. It doesn’t have to be an intense cardiovascular workout. Just a walk or running up and down the stairs a few times fires up enormous regions of the brain, increases the blood flow, and enhances oxygen to help with focus and memory. Exercise improves the sleep, health and overall mood.

THE NEWEST CONCEPT IN HEATH IS MINDFULNESS. Being in the moment has shown to offer protection from anxiety and stress. Try to teach your children to stay in the moment instead of thinking about the future test or the fight they had with their friend. We cannot shield ourselves from hurdles, but we can give them skills to deal with whatever comes their way.

THE LAST ASPECT IS JOY. Joy is the ability to feel it all and still see happiness as an option. Teach kids to feel and accept negative emotions but recognize it and actively choose Joy and happiness, or the good in something. One way to do this is by teaching gratitude. Have them look at what they are grateful for in each situation. By doing this it will create patterns of positivity. There is a direct link between behaviors of gratitude and happiness.

In closing, by following 5 simple steps of establishing quality sleep, teaching good nutritional choices, promoting exercising, being mindful of each moment, and being joyful and grateful we can promote health and raise happier and healthier children. w

KINDER GYM

GYMNASTICS

NINJA CLASS

LITTLE NINJAS

TUMBLING

+ MORE

We build CONFIDENCE, encourage self-esteem and INSPIRE children to DREAM BIG! Our talented, caring sta seeks to connect with and empower each and every child who walks through our door, and inspire our Momentum families through sports, learning & fun! Call Today 208-966-4535 for a TOUR!

245 W Bosanko Ave. #1, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 WWW.MOMENTUMSPORTSANDPLAY.COM

BIRTHDAY PARTIES | STEAM CLASSES | DAY CAMPS | PLAYTIME